Construction stake

ABSTRACT

A construction stake assembly  10  having a first support member  12  and a first receptacle  14.  The first support member  12  includes a first end  16  and a second end  18.  The first receptacle  14  is disposed on the first support member  12  and receives a form  28  for defining a perimeter of a mold  30.  A curable substance  32  is disposed in the mold  30  and allowed to cure, thereby forming a hardened structure  34  such as a concrete slab or the like. The first receptacle  14  includes a base  36  and a pair of spaced sides  44, 46.  Each of the spaced sides  44, 46  extend upwardly from the base for defining a channel  48  therebetween.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/341,473, filed Dec. 17, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to construction forms and, more particularly, to an assembly for forming concrete into desired shapes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the construction industry, it is well known that freshly-mixed concrete must be retained in some type of forming device until it has hardened or cured if it is to achieve the structural shape desired by a user. Typically, such a forming device is made of wood or steel or a combination of the two. Traditionally, to define a perimeter of a given area for the casting of concrete slabs, the casting is carried out by installing a form comprising temporary wooden forms that are nailed onto a stake driven into the ground. Such temporary forms may include two-inch thick lumber boards, the width of which correspond to the thickness of the slab desired. For example, a four-inch thick slab requires 2″.times.4″ boards and a six-inch thick slab requires 2″.times.6″ boards. The boards are temporarily installed with forming stakes disposed about the edges of the slab. The top edge of each board is then set to the desired slab height (i.e., slab thickness) by a laser beam or any other appropriate site instrument. The concrete is poured using the top edge of the forms as a reference. After the concrete is cured, the forms must be disassembled and removed from the structure.

[0004] The setting in place of the forms and the alignment thereof is very labor intensive. Driving and removal of nails into the forms deteriorates the forms, thereby reducing their useful life and causing disfigurement of the forms. Such disfigurement compromises the integrity of the form, thus creating misplacement and misalignment problems during subsequent uses. Moreover, once the forms are correctly placed and aligned, driving the nails into the forms may result in a misaligned form and a misshapen concrete slab.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

[0005] The present invention provides a construction stake assembly comprising a first support member having a first end and a second end and a first receptacle disposed on the first support member for receiving a form and defining a perimeter of a mold.

[0006] The construction stake assembly of the present invention provides an assembly which allows a user to produce a concrete slab or the like by placing and aligning forms to define a perimeter of an area requiring less labor, achieving more accurate alignment, and reducing material waste. The assembly of the present invention eliminates the need for fasteners to retain the form to the stake. Furthermore, the assembly of the subject invention retains its shape and integrity to provide a consistent placement and alignment during each successive use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a top view of a concrete mold formed using the construction stake assembly of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a side view of a construction stake according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a side view of the construction stake according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the construction stake of FIG. 2;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a perspective view a concrete mold formed using the construction stake of FIG. 2;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view a concrete mold formed using the construction stake of FIG. 2;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a perspective view a concrete structure formed using the construction stake of FIG. 2; and

[0015]FIG. 8 is a perspective view a concrete structure formed using the construction stake of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a construction stake assembly is generally shown at 10. The construction stake assembly 10 includes a first support member, generally indicated at 12, and a first receptacle, generally indicated at 14. Both the first support member 12 and the receptacle 14 comprise metal, wood, plastic or any other suitable material. In the preferred embodiment, the first receptacle 14 is metal and is welded to the first support member 12 that is also metal. However, the receptacle 14 may be disposed on the support member 12 via molding, welding or any other suitable manner.

[0017] The first support member 12 includes a first end 16 and a second end 18. At least one of the ends 18 is tapered to ease insertion of the first support member 12 through a surface 20 and into a foundation 22 underlying the surface 20. Both the surface 20 and the foundation 22 comprise gravel, sand, clay or the any other suitable material. In the preferred embodiment, the first support member 12 is a stake. The stake 12 includes a spiral rib 24 extending along its length (as is well known in reinforcing bars) to further ease insertion of the stake 12 through the surface 20 and into the foundation 22. A second support member 26 is disposed on the first receptacle 14 for providing additional support to the assembly 10.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2-7, the first receptacle 14 is disposed on the first support member 12 and receives a form 28 for defining a perimeter of a mold, generally shown at 30. The form 28 comprises wood, metal, plastic or any other suitable material, but normally comprises a wooden 2″.times.4″ board. A curable substance 32, such as cement mix or any other suitable substance, is disposed in the mold 30 and allowed to cure, thereby forming a structure 34 such as a concrete slab or the like, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0019] The first receptacle 14 includes a base, generally indicated at 36, having a pair of spaced edges 38, 40 with a middle portion 42 therebetween. The width of the base 36 is equal to or less than the thickness of the form 28. The first support member 12 is disposed on the first receptacle 14 equidistant from each of the pair of opposing edges 38, 40. The first receptacle 14 includes a pair of spaced sides 44, 46 extending upwardly from the edges 38, 40 of the base 36 and defining a channel, generally shown at 48, between the sides 44, 46. In the preferred embodiment, the first receptacle 14 is U-shaped. However, the first receptacle 14 may comprise any suitable shape to accommodate the form to be used in each particular application.

[0020] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, at least one of the spaced edges 38, 40 extends in an arcuate path along the middle portion 42 to define rounded edges in the mold 30, thereby resulting in a structure 34 having curves. In yet another embodiment, at least one of the edges 38, 40 extends through an angle along the middle portion to define a corner, generally shown at 50, in the mold 30, thus resulting in a structure 34 wherein the corner 50 defines an angle 52 such as a right, obtuse or acute angle as shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 4-7, in still another embodiment, a second receptacle 54 is disposed at one of the edges for defining the angle 52. The second receptacle 54 abuts the first receptacle 14 for defining the angle 52 and further includes the second support member 26 disposed thereon, similar to the first support member 12. Furthermore, the second receptacle 54 may be integral with the first receptacle 14 via injection molding, a hinge, or any other suitable mechanism for interconnecting the first 14 and second receptacles 54.

[0022] At least one of the spaced sides 44, 46 includes a retainer mechanism 56 for retaining the form 28 in the first receptacle 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the retainer mechanism 56 extends inwardly from the spaced sides 44, thereby retaining the form 28 in the receptacle 14. In another embodiment, the retainer mechanism 56 is a slot 58 with a fastener 60 disposed therein for retaining the form 28 in the receptacle 14. The fastener is a nail, screw, bolt, or any other suitable fastener, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0023] Referring back to FIG. 1, several construction stake assemblies 10 are placed through the surface 20 and into the foundation 22 so as to define the perimeter of the mold 30 or casting. One or more forms 28 are disposed in each receptacle 14, 54 to form the mold 30 into which the curable substance 32, such as liquid concrete or the like, is poured, smoothed, and cured. After the concrete 32 cures, the forms 28 are removed from each assembly 10. Each assembly 10 is then extracted from the foundation 22, thus leaving the structure 34, such as a concrete slab, having the desired configuration.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the channel 48 of the receptacle 14 may be formed in any configuration to achieve the desired shape of the concrete slab 34, such as rectangle, a 90-degree angle or any angle larger or smaller, and an arced shape having any desired radius. The forms 28 may be wood, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material for defining the perimeter having the desired shape.

[0025] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention may be practiced within the scope of the claims otherwise than as specifically described in the specification. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A construction stake assembly (10) comprising: a first support member (12) having a first end (16) and a second end (18); and a first receptacle (14) disposed on said first support member (12) for receiving a form (28) that defines a perimeter of a mold (30).
 2. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first receptacle (14) includes a base (36) having a pair of spaced edges (38, 40) with a middle portion (42) between said edges (38, 40).
 3. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first receptacle (14) includes a pair of spaced sides (44, 46) extending upwardly from said edges (38, 40) of said base (36) for defining a channel (48) between said sides (44, 46).
 4. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 3 wherein one of said pair of sides (44, 46) includes a retainer mechanism (56) for retaining a form (28) in said first receptacle (14).
 5. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 3 including a form (28) disposed in said first receptacle (14) for defining the perimeter of a mold (30).
 6. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least one of said edges (38, 40) extends in an arcuate path along said middle portion (42).
 7. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least one of said edges (38, 40) extends through an angle (52) along said middle portion (42).
 8. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 4 wherein said retainer mechanism (56) extends inwardly from at least one of said spaced sides (44, 46).
 9. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 4 wherein said retainer mechanism (56) is a slot.
 10. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 9 including a fastener (60) disposed in said slot (56) for retaining a form (28) in said receptacle (14).
 11. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first support member (12) is disposed on said first receptacle (14) equidistant from said pair of edges (38, 40).
 12. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1 including a second receptacle (54) disposed at one of said edges (38, 40) for defining an angle (52) between said first (14) and second (54) receptacles.
 13. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second receptacle (54) includes a second support member (26) disposed thereon for supporting said second receptacle (54).
 14. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1 including a second support member (26) having said first receptacle (14) disposed thereon.
 15. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first end (16) is tapered.
 16. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first support member (12) is a stake.
 17. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 16 wherein said first receptacle (14) is welded to said stake (12).
 18. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first support member (12) includes a spiral rib (24).
 19. A construction stake assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first receptacle (14) is U-shaped. 